Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Australia day...what's it all about?

Almost everywhere in the world has its traditional ways of celebrating national days. Certain clothes are worn, meaningful songs are sung, parades are held, dances danced and food eaten, just like their forefathers did way back, sometimes thousands of years ago. They hold their heads high, with heritage running in their veins. And so it goes on forever.

In Australia there is nothing more Australian than not really knowing what Australia Day is for! Is it to do with our white history...well, I don't think so but some people evidently do..... Is it about being multi-cultural or is it about doing Australian things, like having a BBQ and eating kangaroo or maybe lamb, since "Australia rides on the sheep's back" used to be on everyone's bumper bar! Is it about deep and meaningful stuff at all?? Should we sing "Walzing Mathilda" or something by Johnny Farham or The Cat Empire? Does anyone really care what it's about?

To me it should go back to being the long weekend nearest January 26th so everyone can go away for a long weekend of sun and sand and sea. THAT is what being Australian represents..... freedom to do what you like, space to do it in and a whole bunch of nice people to do it with. No rules, no fixed plans.... just a long weekend away before the end of the school holidays.

Get there fast and then take it slow!

You know you’re Australian when…

Your veg garden is covered in shade cloth most of the time.

You use kangaroo mince to make spaghetti bolognese.

You like tomato sauce on your stir fry.

You say "overseas" and not "abroad".

You know the difference between thongs and a G-string.

You know that “stubbies” are either short shorts or small beer bottles, a “geezer” is a random idiot, someone in trouble is in “strife” and you’re liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans “rooting” for something.

You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, kero, , metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto etc.

You know that some ppl pronounce Australia like “Strayla” and that’s ok.

You know that there is a universal place called “woop woop” located in the middle of nowhere… no matter where you actually are.

You know that while we call our friends ‘mates’, we don’t use terms like ’sheila’ and ’shrimp on the barbie’, contrary to popular belief.

1 comment:

Anonymous
said...

KeteJust got to read this post of yours.. Yes I want my long weekend back too ! At least some of us had enough sense to take off Monday and have a good extra long weekend....

Bugger all the patriotic garbage that's put out now by government & the media.. As for wrapping oneself in the flag.. Now that really is the last resort of idiots....With the exception of Cathy Freeman who did it with the Aboriginal flag.. And that's OK.